Bio

Barbara Garrick was born in New York City but grew up in Toronto , Canada. She started her career as a professional dancer but transitioned into acting when she made her film debut at the age of 18.

Barbara has appeared in numerous feature films including the role of Victoria (the date with the laugh) in Sleepless in Seattle, The Firm, Miami Rhapsody, Far From Heaven, The Ice Storm, Pollock, jumper, A Couch in New York, Postcards from the Edge, Working Girl, Eight Men Out and Tennessee Williams' The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond.

Barbara has originated the roles of Dede Halcyon Day in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City Trilogy (Gemini nomination) and that of the loopy Allison Perkins on the soap opera One Life to Live. She has appeared in four Law & Orders and their spin offs, one Sex & the City and a Hallmark Hall of Fame with Julie Harris; among other projects.

On Broadway Barbara has been seen in Eastern Standard, A Small Family Business, Stanley and A Thousand Clowns with Tom Selleck. Off Broadway her credits include: Hermione in The Winter's Tale at Classic Stage Company, Eight Days Backwards at the Vineyard Theatre, Beauty on the Vine at Epic Theatre Company, Eastern Standard at Manhattan Theatre Club and Baby Anger at Playwright's Horizons. Regionally she has done a great deal of Shakespeare and been in the World Premieres of The City of Conversation by Anthony Giardina, Mary by Thomas Bradshaw, Ridiculous Fraud by Beth Henley, Safe as Houses and Eastern Standard both by Richard Greenberg, and The workshop of My Good Name by Arthur Laurents.

She is an accomplished Acting Teacher and Private Coach. Barbara trained at The Circle-in-the-Square Professional Workshop and continues to study with the Barrow Group where she currently teaches. Barbara also employs the Alexander technique in her teaching.

Reel

Voiceover

Slideshow

Gallery (click to enlarge)

Acting Resume

FILM

That Awkward Moment
Deserted Cities
Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Blue Jasmine
Loss of a Teardrop Diamond
Jumper
Brooklyn Lobster
Far From Heaven
Pollock
Devil You Know
The Ice Storm
A Couch in New York
Miami Rhapsody
The Firm
Sleepless in Seattle
Days of Thunder
Postcards from the Edge
Working Girl
Eight Men Out

One Life to Live
Law & Order: S.V.U. (2X)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2X)
Amy & Isabelle
Further Tales of the City
Sex and the City
Law and Order
Mary and Rhoda
As the Wordl Turns
More Tales of the City
Ellen Foster
Tales of the City
Dottie Gets Spanked

Teaching / Coaching

As an experienced Broadway, TV, and film actor and coach, I offer a friendly and engaging style imparting acting/speaking techniques that enable performers (actors, dancers) and nonperformers of all ages to become more fluid, more spontaneous, more at ease, and more physically relaxed. They are then able to present themselves to their challenges with a light but fully-engaged energy, whether it be acting/dancing a role or giving a presentation. I also employ the Alexander Technique in my teaching.

Experience, 1986-Present

Teacher / Mentor

Circle in the Square

Created and taught the graduating class in on-camera, acting, and auditioning techniques.

Cedarlake Ensemble

Created and taught Actor Training Program for a contemporary ballet company, including acting skill techniques for dancers and on-going scene study as well as serving as consultant for their performances.

The Barrow Group Theater School

Teaches an ongoing Beginner's Acting class and an on-camera Film and TV class to acting students of this school run by a Drama Desk award-winning theatre company.

New York Cares and Family Renewal Center

Mentored disadvantaged and at-risk children, introducing them to the performing arts and teaching them how to use these experiences to develop a stronger sense of self-worth.

Acting Coach

Students include actors (including regulars on nighttime television, soap opera stars, Broadway musical stars, dancers transitioning into acting roles, voice-over artists, old and young) who seek help with roles or a boost in their auditioning skills.

Public Speaking Coach

Students are non-actors and business professionals wanting to improve the effectiveness of their one-on-one communications and group presentations, both private and public.

Performer

I have acted in leading roles in numerous feature films, including Sleepless in Seattle, The Firm, Far from Heaven, and Eight Men Out; on Broadway, including A Thousand Clowns and Eastern Standard; on television in the acclaimed series, Tales of the City, One Life to Live, Sex and the City, and all of the Law & Order versions; and Off-Broadway in plays for Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theater, Playwrights Horizons, The Vineyard, and The Classic Stage Company. Directors I have worked with include Mike Nichols, Sydney Pollack, John Sayles, Ang Lee, and Todd Haynes.

Training

Circle in the Square

Professional Actors Training Program

The Barrow Group Theatre School

Ten years of acting classes with Seth Barrish and Lee Brock

The Barrow Group Teacher Training Program

Completed intensive program to qualify as a teacher of the Barrow Group technique